Rivals250 LB Jackson Hannah commits to Nebraska
When four-star Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy linebacker Jackson Hannah picked up an offer earlier this spring, he was happy to have another program on his offer list. Little did he know, it wouldn't take him long to fall in love with the Huskers. Just a few days after making his first-ever visit to Lincoln, Hannah decided he knew where he was going to play his college football.
"I’m 110 percent committed to Nebraska," Hannah said. "I told the coaches a couple of days ago and they were about 10 guys on the other line on speaker. As soon as I told them it was like a bomb going off. They were so happy to have me on board. It was a cool experience. Coach (Scott) Frost welcomed me with open arms and I can't wait to be a part of what they're building."
Hannah said things between him and the Huskers came together fast, especially considering he took an unofficial visit just last weekend he was just treating it like any other visit.
"I wasn’t expecting that much, just a regular visit," Hannah said. "But I was really blown away. I can’t explain it, it felt like home right away. I never have left a visit feeling like I did. As soon as I left coach Frost's office I stopped and told my dad I wanted to commit."
Prior to stepping on campus, most of Hannah's knowledge of the Huskers came from his father Steve, who works for Mutual of Omaha, and his high school coaches.
"My dad always told me how dominant they were back in his time, back-to-back national champs, they were kind of like the Alabama back then but that’s all I heard," Hannah said. "My dad goes up there quite a bit so he said we had to check it out. After seeing the campus and talking to Coach Frost I’m convinced Coach Frost is going to bring them back."
Hannah started his career at defensive end and transitioned to linebacker as a sophomore. He said the Huskers have a plan to use him at inside linebacker, where they think he can be the quarterback of the defense.
"Coach (Barrett) Ruud has told me that I can have a big impact on their team," Hannah said. "He loves my style. He has watched my film a lot and pointed to some specific plays that he really liked. He just let know that he really wanted me to be there under him and he thinks I can keep getting better."
Even though the Nebraska staff was only at UCF for two seasons, Hannah said the number of players the coaches developed for the next level also caught his attention. He expects that player development trend to continue in Lincoln and wants to be part of it.
"They told me that if they can get it done at UCF that they damn sure do it at Nebraska. Coach Frost is competitor, when he was a player he like that and he's been like that as a coach as he showed at UCF. What they were able to do to an SEC team like Auburn in that bowl game speaks for itself."
While the home feeling he got in Lincoln was a major factor, Hannah said it was the conversation with Frost that truly convinced him to make a commitment.
"He was super intense," Hannah said. "He just gave it too me bluntly; that they’re gong to win up there and that’s the coach I’m looking for. I’m looking for the coach who is going to mold me into the best man I can be. I can just feel the competitive vibe off of him. He’s ready to bring Nebraska back on track and I’m ready to be a part of it."
Hannah had been planning visits to other schools, including Arkansas, Oregon and LSU, but now said he will shut down his recruitment and only officially visit Lincoln in the fall.
Hannah is commitment No. 8 for the Huskers in the Class of 2019 and the highest ranked commitment to date. When he signs with the Huskers in December, Hannah will become Nebraska's first signee from the state of Tennessee since Barry Turner in 2005.
